Being a half day and since my hair needed a crop, I'd asked Ramji to fetch up since he was also not very busily engaged. And I must admit that his massage, after the crop, keeps me fit till his visit, the week after. And he keeps me regaled with his stories as he goes about his work.
This afternoon was no exception except for the fact that it was his angst that was pouring out. And I could only, helplessly hear him out. He'd seen off his daughter to their native place, by the early morning train to Tatabad, for urgent medical attention and her mother's care. The young lady is into the eighth month of her second pregnancy(her first child, a son, is just a year old, mind you) and had been bleeding over the past few days. He'd taken her to the doctor for medical cover to tide over the crisis and since it seemed to be under some sort of control, she was being sent back home - in his words, for cheaper medical cover and mother's care!
He has always worried about this daughter of his. Her left leg has been polio stricken during her childhood and hence, she has the attendant problem of locomotion. She was married with great fanfare, about two years back but her husband has been demanding - from day one - on Ramji and his family, for the 'burden' of their's that he's carrying! He's a perennial shirker and Ramji has gone out of his way to put him on employment - a food stall, a barber shop and a vegetable-shop-on-wheels were the ventures that he'd initiated but the youngster failed to make a mark in each and incurred losses for his father-in-law, instead.
A word about Ramji, at this juncture, would be essential to understand the man. Twenty four years back, he'd taken up the job of barber, in a naval ship, that was getting commissioned at the Garden Reach shipyard, at Calcutta. He comes from the rural interiors of Bihar and the devoted family man that he is, he'd brought in guys from back home and given them employment! I'd not be exaggerating if I were to say that there's a sizeable Bihari population, out here, thanks to his perseverance and his propensity to help out his kith and kin. His wife and son - who's studying in an English medium school - are in his village, along with his parents.
At the railway station, his son-in-law had created a scene just before the train chugged forward. Ramji's nephew, who was in attendance, thrust Rs.50/- into the little child's hands which his wretched father snatched and tore it up to pieces, saying pompously that his child did not require any freebies!
As Ramji narrated his story, his eyes had filled with tears and I could, only, helplessly hold his right shoulder as though to reduce his angst.
Tailpiece.
1. I was angry and I'd asked him to terminate the relationship that was of no help to his daughter and which caused him great anguish. Probably, I was being ignorant of the other related issues as I do not have a biological child of my own - would I have done so as I was suggesting or wouldn't I? I guess I too am confused! He mumbled something about the family's 'izzat', what would others say and the girl's threat of killing herself!
2. Why does life have to be so complicated and harsh for a good guy like him?
This afternoon was no exception except for the fact that it was his angst that was pouring out. And I could only, helplessly hear him out. He'd seen off his daughter to their native place, by the early morning train to Tatabad, for urgent medical attention and her mother's care. The young lady is into the eighth month of her second pregnancy(her first child, a son, is just a year old, mind you) and had been bleeding over the past few days. He'd taken her to the doctor for medical cover to tide over the crisis and since it seemed to be under some sort of control, she was being sent back home - in his words, for cheaper medical cover and mother's care!
He has always worried about this daughter of his. Her left leg has been polio stricken during her childhood and hence, she has the attendant problem of locomotion. She was married with great fanfare, about two years back but her husband has been demanding - from day one - on Ramji and his family, for the 'burden' of their's that he's carrying! He's a perennial shirker and Ramji has gone out of his way to put him on employment - a food stall, a barber shop and a vegetable-shop-on-wheels were the ventures that he'd initiated but the youngster failed to make a mark in each and incurred losses for his father-in-law, instead.
A word about Ramji, at this juncture, would be essential to understand the man. Twenty four years back, he'd taken up the job of barber, in a naval ship, that was getting commissioned at the Garden Reach shipyard, at Calcutta. He comes from the rural interiors of Bihar and the devoted family man that he is, he'd brought in guys from back home and given them employment! I'd not be exaggerating if I were to say that there's a sizeable Bihari population, out here, thanks to his perseverance and his propensity to help out his kith and kin. His wife and son - who's studying in an English medium school - are in his village, along with his parents.
At the railway station, his son-in-law had created a scene just before the train chugged forward. Ramji's nephew, who was in attendance, thrust Rs.50/- into the little child's hands which his wretched father snatched and tore it up to pieces, saying pompously that his child did not require any freebies!
As Ramji narrated his story, his eyes had filled with tears and I could, only, helplessly hold his right shoulder as though to reduce his angst.
Tailpiece.
1. I was angry and I'd asked him to terminate the relationship that was of no help to his daughter and which caused him great anguish. Probably, I was being ignorant of the other related issues as I do not have a biological child of my own - would I have done so as I was suggesting or wouldn't I? I guess I too am confused! He mumbled something about the family's 'izzat', what would others say and the girl's threat of killing herself!
2. Why does life have to be so complicated and harsh for a good guy like him?
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